It Could Be Worse - A Short Story

Simon stood before the large gap on the concrete wall. He had contemplated this moment for the last six months. He felt his eyes widen the longer he continued to stare at this supposed gateway or portal.

“There’s nothing to it, Sai!” said Ryan. He pulled down his mask to just under his chin and stood next to the entrance and waved his hand across the front of it as one may introduce a prize on a game show.

“Yeah…” Simon said. He looked at Ryan’s face and again noticed the peculiar change in his character over the passed few months. Ryan had gone from bitter and depressed to cheerful and positive.

The screen lit up Simon’s face as he studied the lengthy Biology class syllabus. His eyes were half closed and he would soon be entering into a dazed state. He was alone in his dorm room, his laptop screen being the only source of light. His silhouette was a slouched shape hunched over at the desk as the darkness in the room swallowed up everything else. The light suddenly buzzed on.

“Sai!” Ryan, his tall friend exclaimed. “Why do you always shut off your lights?” Ryan asked as he moved over to open the room shutters to let in some light. “I swear you’re some kind of vampire.” He smirked and plopped down onto his bed which was just opposite Simon’s desk. The sudden bursts of light had made Simon squint and turn his head away from the direction of the window. Amused at his own vampire-like reaction to light, Simon let out a small chuckle.

“We’ve only got a few months left to pick up our GPA, dude.” Simon sighed. “Plus you’re the one who said that it was the end of the world after we nearly failed General Chemistry last quarter. Shouldn’t you be here with Dracula?” Simon looked at Ryan, who had just been staring up at the ceiling. “

“Even Nosferatu had a happier look on life than you, Sai. Geez.” Ryan sat up and took out a new surgical mask from his pocket. He held it up to show Simon. “Look, our parents had spent a good portion of their lives getting used to breathing through this.”

“What’s your point? “ Simon ran his finger across his laptop screen in an attempt to study the syllabus once again. He didn’t look up as he spoke, “We’re lucky that we are among the first in our generation to even get the chance to actually ‘go’ to college.” He finally looked up at Ryan. “At least now days they help with just about anything—including smog.” He suddenly noticed that Ryan’s expression wasn’t as hardened as it usually was. He appeared to be quite relaxed.

“It can be a lot worse, you know.” Ryan said, as his face became a bit sullen.

“What, you mean our grades?—” Simon began.

“No, not that.” Ryan quickly replied.

“You’ve been acting kind of weird after the first quarter. I figured you went and joined some kind of club or something. I mean, I don’t think how you would even have the time but—” He paused. “ Don’t tell me you joined the greeks. You know that people could get expelled for even associating with non-school affiliated organizations.” Simon scoffed.

“Nah, nothing like that. “ Ryan said, as he put on his mask. His voice was slightly distorted as the special material within the layers of fabric interacted with air coming out of Ryan’s mouth. “Sai, I wana show you something. “ He stood up and leaned over Simon’s desk.

“Show me what?” Simon raised an eyebrow, wondering if his friend Ryan really had involved himself in something bizarre if not dangerous. But what was making Ryan seem so much more relaxed? Maybe he joined a religious club or something. Simon thought. “I go to church some Sundays already. I’m good.” Simon said.

“Sai. Just come! I promise it’s not a club or anything I just wan—” Ryan began to explain.

“Just tell me where it is then!” Simon raised his voice in annoyance. “It’s not like I’m stressed about..I don’t know, failing half my classes this year!” He fumed. Ryan grinned a bit and turned the door knob, swinging the door open wide before turning to answer his friend.

“The tunnels.” Said Ryan.